UK Stamp Duty Historical Rates Comparison
Every significant SDLT, LBTT and LTT rate change since 2003. Each entry shows what changed, when, and the context behind the decision.
In this article
Timeline of changes
SDLT introduced
1 December 2003Stamp Duty Land Tax replaced the old Stamp Duty regime on land. Initially used a slab structure charging one flat rate on the whole price. Nil-rate threshold was £60,000.
15% corporate body rate introduced
24 March 2014A flat 15% rate applied to residential dwellings worth more than £500,000 purchased by certain non-natural persons (companies, partnerships with corporate partners, collective investment schemes).
Slab → slice structure reform
4 December 2014Major reform. Residential SDLT moved from a slab structure (one rate on the whole price) to a slice structure (progressive rates on portions). New bands: 0% to £125k, 2% to £250k, 5% to £925k, 10% to £1.5m, 12% above. Most buyers paid less; buyers of high-value properties paid more.
3% additional dwellings surcharge introduced
1 April 2016New 3% surcharge on top of standard rates for buyers of additional residential properties (second homes, buy-to-let, holiday homes). Triggered above £40,000.
LTT replaces SDLT in Wales
1 April 2018Wales gained its own tax: Land Transaction Tax (LTT), administered by the Welsh Revenue Authority. Initial nil-rate band set at £180,000. LBTT had already been in force in Scotland since April 2015.
First-time buyer relief introduced (SDLT)
22 November 2017New first-time buyer relief in England/NI: nil rate to £300,000, 5% on the portion up to £500,000, no relief above £500,000. A response to first-time buyer affordability concerns.
Scotland ADS raised from 3% to 4%
25 January 2019Revenue Scotland increased the Additional Dwelling Supplement from 3% to 4%.
COVID stamp duty holiday begins
8 July 2020Emergency response to the pandemic housing market freeze. SDLT nil rate raised to £500,000 in England/NI. Saved up to £15,000 per purchase. Scotland and Wales introduced smaller equivalents.
SDLT holiday tapered
1 July 2021Nil rate threshold reduced from £500,000 to £250,000, saving up to £2,500 per purchase.
SDLT holiday ends
1 October 2021Full return to the standard £125,000 nil-rate band.
Mini-budget: nil rate doubled to £250,000
23 September 2022SDLT nil rate raised from £125,000 to £250,000. FTB relief raised from £300,000 to £425,000 (tapered to £625,000). This was presented as a permanent change.
Scotland ADS raised from 4% to 6%
16 December 2022Further Revenue Scotland increase to the Additional Dwelling Supplement.
Wales LTT rates increased
10 October 2022Main LTT nil rate raised to £225,000, with new 6% band from £225k to £400k and 7.5% band from £400k to £750k.
Additional dwelling surcharge: 3% → 5%
31 October 2024England/NI additional property surcharge increased from 3% to 5%. Corporate body flat rate for dwellings over £500,000 increased from 15% to 17%. Part of the Autumn Budget 2024 response to the housing crisis.
Scotland ADS raised from 6% to 8%
5 December 2024Revenue Scotland increased the Additional Dwelling Supplement for the third time since 2022, matching the government's commitment to discourage second-home purchases.
Wales higher rates increased
11 December 2024Welsh Government increased all LTT higher residential rates by 1 percentage point. Top rate now 17% on portions above £1.5 million.
SDLT mini-budget reversed
1 April 2025Nil rate threshold reverted from £250,000 back to £125,000. FTB relief reverted from £425,000 (taper to £625,000) back to £300,000 (taper to £500,000). Most buyers now pay more SDLT than they would have in 2024.
SDLT nil-rate threshold history
| Period | Nil-rate band |
|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2003 – 22 Mar 2006 | £60,000 |
| 23 Mar 2006 – 2 Sep 2008 | £125,000 |
| 3 Sep 2008 – 31 Dec 2009 (holiday) | £175,000 |
| 1 Jan 2010 – 3 Dec 2014 | £125,000 |
| 4 Dec 2014 – 7 Jul 2020 | £125,000 (slice structure) |
| 8 Jul 2020 – 30 Jun 2021 | £500,000 (COVID holiday) |
| 1 Jul 2021 – 30 Sep 2021 | £250,000 (taper) |
| 1 Oct 2021 – 22 Sep 2022 | £125,000 |
| 23 Sep 2022 – 31 Mar 2025 | £250,000 (mini-budget) |
| From 1 April 2025 | £125,000 |
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Scotland ADS history
| Period | ADS rate |
|---|---|
| 1 Apr 2016 – 24 Jan 2019 | 3% |
| 25 Jan 2019 – 15 Dec 2022 | 4% |
| 16 Dec 2022 – 4 Dec 2024 | 6% |
| From 5 December 2024 | 8% |
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All rates in our calculator reflect the latest changes in force from April 2025.
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Emma Richardson, MRICS
Chartered Surveyor & Property Tax Specialist
Emma Richardson is a RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 12 years of experience in UK property taxation. She founded Calculate My Stamp Duty UK to help buyers understand the complex world of property transaction taxes.